BRISBANE PORT UNDER FIRE FOR 'OUTRAGEOUS' SACKINGS

Written on the 10 August 2015

MINISTER for Industrial Relations Curtis Pitt has thrown his support behind maritime employees who were terminated by text message last week.

Hutchison Port Holdings messaged almost 100 dock and maintenance workers late Thursday night, saying they weren't required for their shift the next day and to check their email for a redundancy letter.

Operating as Brisbane Container Terminals, 41 staff members were sacked from the Port of Brisbane station. More than 50 were let go at Sydney's Port Botany terminal.

Pitt slammed the actions of the port operator, saying they handled the termination process in an unfair and outrageous manner.

"I'm not impressed at all by what Hutchison's has done to these hard-working wharfies," he says.

"Losing your job is hard enough, but to get sacked via text message in the middle of the night is a really bitter pill to swallow.

"The Palaszczuk Government will provide any assistance it can to the affected workers and their families.

"This is a government that fights for jobs and we're with these workers every step of the way."

The Maritime Union of Australia is fighting the sackings through Fair Work Australia and legal system.